Curve-scriber.



J. A. BUTTRESS.

CURVE SCRIBER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.IT19IE.

Ll 6965., Patented Feb. 13, 1917.:A

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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l. A. BUTTRESS.

CURVE SCRIBER. APPLICATIONJILED APR. I7. wie.

1,1 6,066 Patented Feb.13,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JOSEPH A. BUTTRESS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CURVE-SCRIBER.

Application filed April 17, 1916.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. BUTTREss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful. Improvements in Curve-Scrihers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for scribing curved lines; and it is a primary object of this invention to provide a universal curve scriber in simple and economical form;

and it is a further object of this invention to provide a curve scriber which may be easily set and adjusted to any given curve and which facilitates the easy and accurate drawing of such curves.

Further objects of my invention are made to appear in the following specification wherein I describe a preferred form of my improved curve scriber. This preferred form of scriber embodies a longitudinal bar having a series of spaced notches in its under edge, and a flexible preferably metallic strip adapted by proper placement in said notches Vto be exed and held in the desired curvature or curvatures. So far as the fundamentals of my invention are concerned the above described parts are the two essential parts. In order, however, to make a universal instrument I provide a third part in the form of a cross bar adjustable in position on the longitudinal bar and adjustable as to transverse projection from the longitudinal bar; it being the office of this cross bar to hold any point of the flexible strip in any desired denite position relative to the longitudinal bar. I also provide the scriber in such form, and also provide a special means in the form of a center point, so that the scriber may be readily used for drawing sets of curves symmetrical with respect to an aXis or center point.

I now proceed to a detailed description of my preferred form of scriber and refer to the accompanyingdrawings in which Figure 1 is a plan of my improved scriber; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same without the cross bar; Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial bottom plan; Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged cross sections showing various forms of the longitudinal bar; Fig. 11 is an enlarged section showing a preferred construction of the flexible strip; Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail section taken as indicated by line 12-12 on Fig. 1; Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view taken as indicated Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917. Serial N o. 91,622.

by line 13-13 on Fig. 1; Fig. 14. is an enlarged detail section taken as indicated by line 14.--14 on Fig. l; Fig. 15 is a plan showing the scriber with a center point; Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 17 is a section taken as indicated by line 17`17 on Fig. 16; Fig. 18 shows a typical symmetrical design made with my scriber; Fig. 19 is a section and Fig. 20 a side elevation showing a modified form of means for mounting the center point on the longitudinal bar; and Figs. 21 and 22 are sections showing modified forms of the iiexible strip.

In the drawings I show a longitudinal bar 10 which may be of any desired length. This bar may be of many cross sectional forms7 as illustrated by the cross sectional configurations shown in Figs. i to 10. A typical form of the har is that shown in Figs. 4 to 7 and 10, wherein the bar is an inverted channel having an Lipper web 11, 117 11", 11c or 11d and has downwardly extending side flanges 12, 12a, 12b, 12c or 12d. The notches 13 are cut in the side iianges; and these notches are preferably formed as is shown in Fig. 3. It is desired to form the notches not of uniform width from face to face of the side flanges of the channel, but wider on one face than on the other, so as to facilitate the diagonal placement of the flexible strip through the notches. These notches may be placed exactly opposite cach other and evenly spaced throughout the length of the bar, as is shown in some portions of Fig. 3. The flexible strip 15 may be placed at right angles across the longitudinal bar 10, as is shown in dotted lines at the right of Fig. 3, or it may be placed diagonally across the bar as is shown in the center portion of Fig. 3. The peculiar form of the notches 13 above referred to facilitates this diagonal placement without widening the notches so much that the strip is excessively loose when placed square across the bar. It will be noted that I have shown the notches wider at their outer edges than at their inner edges; and I attain this formation of the notches without the necessity of specially cutting and pressing them in this form by the expedient of concaving the material between the notches, the result of this conas is shown at 16; caving being to draw the edges of the notches to the positions shown so as to make The the notches as regards the notches wider outside than inside. effective widths of square placement of' the' strip is thus unchanged'ivliile their ell'ective clear widths with regard to diagonal placement of the strip is materially increased. Consequently, with a longitudinal bar having the notches arranged squarely opposite each other, I' am able to place the flexible strip either in position squarely across the bar as is shown at the points marked 15a in If`ig, 1,or I may place the flexible strip diagonally across the bar` as at the points shown@ at l in Fig. 1. The angle of diagonal placement depends upon the ividtln of notch, the thickness of thevf'lexiblefstrip, the Width ofthe bar itself, and the spacings between notches.

In a preferrediformof the bar I prov-ide a series of notchesll, 13b, 13C, 131 arrangednot opposite-each other. but at various angles acrossthe bar as is clearly illustrated inFig. 3. I may pi'ovice the center part. of the bar with squarely arranged notches, and then on each side of this center part provide a set of the angularly ar-A ranged notches, and then outside of the angular sets provide again the, squarely arranged notches. rlhe flexible strip may be placed at any desired angle in the angular notches; and the provision of tivosetsof angular notches makes it possible to place the strip, with reference tothe bar, aty actual opposite anglesat points symmetrical with relation to Vthe center of the bar.

lilith the illustratedy arrangement of notches the flexible strip may be curved and held in almost anyy desired posit-lento form any given; curve or set of curves. Fig. 1 illustrates what can be done with `the squarely arrangedA notches alone; and` with the use ofthe angularly arranged notches.

the variety of positions. and curvatures is greatly increased. The strip may be flexed into asflong or as short a curve as desired. I provide With mya instrument a number of differently. flexible strips 3 4and in a preferred form I may provide one strip formed. by three very thin spring steel bands, another formedof tivo slightly thicker bands (shown inFig. 111) and another formed of aasingle steelband. The first mentioned form` of band4 is very flexible and may be bent to form very short curves; ivhileithe last inentioned, form is comparatively stiff andv is.

used forl long curves, tliestiffness providing for. a firm drawing edge .not easily displaced by pressure of pen or pencil. providing sets of, flexible strips ofY different sti'fi'iiesses I provide for the smooth formation of short, medium or long curves. siliency ofthe bands makes them assume smooth and, unbioken.vv continuous curves Without any breaks-Without any humpsor atgpoints. In Figs. 21 and 9.2 I have shown formations of flexible stiipsfor ink work. In Fig. Q1 I show two steel `bands 70 and 71, one of lesser width than the other so that The natural., re-v As I have hereinbefore stated, the bar mayI have various cross sectional-forms. In Fig. Il I have shown aplain inverted channel; in

Fig. 5 a channel havingA aisunk-Web-11n and1 inwardly Vconverging side flanges 1-; in

Fig. 6 a plain channel having grooves QU y formed in its flanges near the top 5V in Fig. 7

a channel `having an outwardlyrounded vbeadl 21 at itstop. In Fig. 10I have shown the plain channel and have shown the concat'- ities 16 betiveen the notches 13. In Fig. 8 I shoiv` a bar 1,0 in theform offa hollow square tube; and in Fifi'. 9` a solid form of bar. rIhe upper flat surfaces of any of-'these forms may carry the designating numerals These numerals preferably proceed from zero at the center of the bar; and the numerals thus facilitate the formation of curves symmetrical with relation to the transverse center axis of the bar. Curves symmetrical with relation to any axis may be drawn by turning thescriber end for end or by turn ing the scriber` bottomside up. It will be seen, by reference` to Fig. 2, that the flexiblestrip. extends very nearlyto the top ofthe bar 10; so` that the Whole device may be turned, over and the normally upper edge of the curved strip ivill then be closeenough to the drawing surface toV facilitate easy draft ing of a curvesymmetrical to that drawn with the scriber in its normal position. I-Ioivever, in this relation, it may be stated that symmetrical curves may aliva-ys be drawn by replacing the flexible strip in op` posite position, symmetrical'with its former position with relation to the bar; the flexible strip being at all times easily placed in any required curvature and?` position.

I have hereinbefere referred to the cross bar 30. This. cross bar has on its outer end afoot 31` hav-ing notches 32 adapted to engage theflexible strip 151 The cross bar is mounted in a suitable clampl and held in any set position by thumb screiv Bil. This thumb screw` presses thecross bar down onto the endsfL ofclamping dogs pivoted centrallyiat 36to-theclamp The lower ends 351 of dogs 35, are sliapedto conform to the cross sectional conformation ofthe bai-107 as is clearly shown in Fig. 14. Downivard pressure by screivfoil not only holds the cross bar 30 immovable but clamps the dogs onto bar 10. A slight loosening of the drawing surface at the center point clamp screw will allow the cross bar to be adjusted in position without loosening the dogs sufficiently to allow the bar 30 to be accidentally moved along bar 10. Transverse adjustment of the bar 30 is the means of adjusting the position of any point, as the point 15C, of flexible strip l5. In Fig. l I have shown the flexible strip being held to a flat curve by the transverse bar. Many other uses-of the transverse bar will occur to those skilled in the art or those using the scriber.

I have hereinbefore described the use of my curve scriber for the making of curves or duplicate curves symmetrical with respect to any axis. I provide means for making sets of curves symmetrical with relation to a center. In Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 1S I illustrate my device for such purposes. In Figs. 15, 16 and 17 I show the longitudinal bar 10 equipped with a downwardly projecting center pin or point 50. This center pin may be mounted upon the bar 10 in any desired manner; but I prefer to mount the pin adjustable and movable along the bar. This may be easily done by providing a `small slide 5l in the form of a clamp having a thumb screw 52 to set it in any given position, the center pin 50 projecting fromthe under side of the clamp 5l. The center pin projects below the plane of the lower edge of iexible strip 15 as is clearly shown in Fig. 16. Or the center pin may be mounted on the bar by means of a spring clasp 60 as shown in Fig. 20. In this case the center pin 50aL is integral with a at key 61 adapted to enter one of the notches 13 to register the pin opposite any notch.

In Fig. 18 I have shown an example of work that may be done with a scriber equipped with this center pin. To make the ligure illustrated the center pin is put in the position on the bar shown in full lines in Fig. l5. The center pin is then set on the (designated in Fig. 18 by the small circle denoted 53), and the scriber being set in any given position, one of the curves 54 is drawn. The scriber is then rotated about the center pin through any given angle and the next curve is drawn; and so on until the complete design is made. It will be readily apparent that a great variety of designs may be made by scribing curves about a common center. For instance, the center point may be placed near one end of the bar 10, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 15 and an entirely different figure will then result. Series of volute or other curves may be drawn about a center; and the instrument with its center point facilitates very much the drafting of such mechanical elements as gear teeth, impeller blades, etc.

The simplicity of my curve scriber is readily seen; and I have described how the scriber may be easily and quickly adjusted to a great variety of curves and how it may v be used for drawing symmetrical curves or designs. Once the liexible strip is placed in position in the bar it is not easily accidentally displaced from its set position. rlhe tension induced by curving the strip holds the strip against the edges of the notches. In its function of securely holding the strip against accidental displacement the channel one face, and a flexible strip adapted to i'it y into the notches. Y

3. A curve scriber embodying a channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, said notches being wider on one face of the flanges than on the other, and a flexile strip adapted to enter the notches.

A curve scriber embodying a channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, the flanges between the spaced notches being concaved so as to forni them wider on one face of the flanges than on the other, and a flexible strip adapted to enter the notches.

5. A curve scriber embodying a channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side J.

flanges, the notches in one flange being arranged in definite opposite relation to the notches in the other iiange, and a flexible strip adapted to t into the notches.

curve scriber embodying a channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side fianges, a portion of said notches being arranged so that the notches in one flange are opposite the notches in the other and another portion being arranged so that individual notches in one flange and individual notches in the other ange are on lines diagonal to the length of the bar, and a flexible strip adapted to fit into the notches.

7. A curve scriber embodying a channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, the notches in one flange being arranged in definite opposite relation to the notches in the other flange, each of said notches being wider on one face of the flange than on the other, and a flexible strip adapted to lit into the notches.

curve scriber embodying a channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, a portion of said notches being arthe bar, and a flexible g ranged so that the notches in one flange are opposite the notches in the Vother and another portion being arranged so that individual notches in one flange and individual notches in the other flange are on lines diagonal to the length of the bar, each of said notches being Wider on one face of' the flange than on the other, and a flexible strip adapted to fit into the notches.

9. A curve scriber embodying a channeh shaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, the notches in one flange being arranged. in definite opposite relation to the notches in the other flange, the flanges bein eoncaved between the spaced notches .so that the notches are forinedavider on one face of the flanges than on the other, and a flexible strip adapted to fit 'into the notches.

10. A. curve scriber embodyinga channelshaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, a portion of' said notches being ar ranged so that the notchesin one flange are opposite the notches in the other and another portion being arranged so that individual notches in one flange and individual notches in the other flange are on lines diagonal to the length of the bar, the flanges be ing concaved between the spaced notches so that the notches are formed wider cn one face of the flanges than on the other, and a flexible strip adapted to fit into the notches.

1l. A curve scriber, embodying in combination a longitudinal bar having` spaced transverse notches on one edge, a flexible strip adapted to enter said notches, and a transverse b r adapted to engage the flexible strip and having means for adjustable mounting on the longitudinal bar.

12. A curve scriber, embodying in combination a longitudinal channel-shaped bar having spaced notches in its side flanges, a portion of said notches being arranged so that the notches in one flange are opposite the notches in the other and anotherportion being arranged so that individual notches in one flange and individual notches in the other flange are on lines diagonal to the length of' the bar, the flanges being concaved between the spacedV notches so that the lnotches are formed Wider on one face of the flanges than on the other, anda flexible strip adapted to fit into the notches, a transverse bar adapted at its end to engage the flexible strip; and means for mounting the transverse bar on the longitudinal bar adjustable in position along the longitudinal bar and adjustable as to the amount of projection of the end of the transverse bar from the longitudinal bar.

13. i curve scriber embodying a flexible strip, a bar having means for engaging and holding the strip, and a. center point on the. bar adapted to engage a drawing surface to forni a. center about *which the bar and strip may be rotated.

A curve scriber embodying aflexible strip, a bar having means for engaging and holding the strip, and center Vpoint longitudinally adjustable on the bar adapted to engage ay draiving surface to form a center about which the .barand strip may be rotated.

15. In combination, a bar having spaced notches, a flexible strip adapted to enter the notches, and a center point on the bar adapt ed to engagea drawing surface to form a center about which the bar and strip may be rotated.

1G. In combination, a bar having spaced notches on its under side extending vertically up into the bar, a fiat flexible strip adapted .to enter the notches and be thereby held in flexed position, and a center point longitudinally adjustable on the bar and projecting downwardly beyond the plane of' the loiver edge of the strip.

17. A curve scriber embodying a bar hav ing transverse notches across its under face extending up into thebar, said notches lying in vertical planes making various horizontal angles with the length of .the bar, and a flexible strip adapted to t up into the notches.

ln Witness that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of April 1916.

JOSEPH A. EUTTRESS.

Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

